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Linus Media Group vs Amazon? #Confused

VAkena
By VAkena
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Posted

I've been reading some of the posts made on the Linus Tech Facebook page and apparently there's something going on between LMG and Amazon. The posts on Facebook by Linus Tech don't give any context as to what actually happened...

 

Does anyone actually know what happened or is it somewhat confidential? 

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Posted

I think they aren't allowed to have people bookmark affiliate links? 

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I recommend looking at Linus' Twitter 

 

 

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Posted

Linus was breaching his contract with amazon since 2013 by " Telling people to replace their bookmarks with his affiliate link, when he'd already been warned multiple times that doing so was a bannable offence". They just now got mad which is very understandable.  

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2 minutes ago, ThyFeared said:

Linus was breaching his contract with amazon since 2013 by " Telling people to replace their bookmarks with his affiliate link, when he'd already been warned multiple times that doing so was a bannable offence". They just now got mad which is very understandable.  

Err, can someone explain why Amazon cares if Linus tells people to bookmark his affiliate link?

I probably don't understand something here, but it seems like a win-win for amazon and LTT

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3 minutes ago, HPWebcamAble said:

Err, can someone explain why Amazon cares if Linus tells people to bookmark his affiliate link?

I probably don't understand something here, but it seems like a win-win for amazon and LTT

Basically hes making people buy shit through his link so he gets money either way.

Someone could buy cereal and he makes money

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1 minute ago, HPWebcamAble said:

Err, can someone explain why Amazon cares if Linus tells people to bookmark his affiliate link?

I probably don't understand something here, but it seems like a win-win for amazon and LTT

Because if it's bookmarked, then they're paying Linus and co. for doing absolutely nothing. The whole intention of the affiliate program is to advertise products sold on Amazon, not to give money to content creators for telling people that if they're going to shop, they should shop in a way that gives them kickback.

 

I understand Amazon's side completely, unfortunately, but I hope the Amazon Affiliate program kickback wasn't a huge thing for LMG if they're at risk of being removed.

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3 minutes ago, Suika said:

The whole intention of the affiliate program is to advertise products sold on Amazon

Ok, I see, Amazon wants LMG to give people links to specific products that are being shown in an episode.

 

Thanks, that makes sense :)

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Posted
8 minutes ago, ThyFeared said:

since 2013

3 years.. HOW FUCKING SLOW ARE THESE PEOPLE?

i mean, if he's been breaking contract since 2013 i feel like someone at amazon needs to rethink priorities here if it took that long for them to act...

 

reminds me of something: a belgian financial institute recently went bankrupt, they were shut down since they were violating pretty much every rule attached to their bank license since 2011, and the governing instances that are supposed to stop this from happening basicly did nothing until years after.

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Posted

but i see a lot of youtubers say use our affiliate link when buying from amazon to give us a kickback are they in trouble also? in fact a school that my sister goes to also have a similar thing with amazon

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57 minutes ago, spartaman64 said:

but i see a lot of youtubers say use our affiliate link when buying from amazon to give us a kickback are they in trouble also? in fact a school that my sister goes to also have a similar thing with amazon

its specifically telling them to bookmark it that's the problem. 

People can bookmark it all of their own, but asking them to is the breach of contract.

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33 minutes ago, Atmos said:

its specifically telling them to bookmark it that's the problem. 

People can bookmark it all of their own, but asking them to is the breach of contract.

Yeah but I remember Twitch was just for gaming and they have let Linus get away with having the WAN show on their platform. Technically speaking he was in a breach of Contract their and Twitch never said shit. Amazon needs to chill the fuck out. I mean there are other online retailers. Furthermore to not even call him and tell the LMG team that they are terminating their account. Amazon should have said, stop telling people to bookmark the link. And maybe have LMG issue an apology. That would have been acceptable. Or at least give them a call and say well you guys violated the contact so we will be forced to terminate you account. Not just pull the plug. 

I just want to sit back and watch the world burn. 

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6 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

Yeah but I remember Twitch was just for gaming and they have let Linus get away with having the WAN show on their platform. Technically speaking he was in a breach of Contract their and Twitch never said shit. Amazon needs to chill the fuck out. I mean there are other online retailers. Furthermore to not even call him and tell the LMG team that they are terminating their account. Amazon should have said, stop telling people to bookmark the link. And maybe have LMG issue an apology. That would have been acceptable. Or at least give them a call and say well you guys violated the contact so we will be forced to terminate you account. Not just pull the plug. 

Apparently they've received multiple warnings, no idea of what kind though.

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2 minutes ago, Atmos said:

Apparently they've received multiple warnings, no idea of what kind though.

I think its more of the way they did it then any thing else. Now Amazon looks like dicks to the roughly 2.7 Million LMG Subs. GG Amazon. 

I just want to sit back and watch the world burn. 

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3 hours ago, Donut417 said:

I think its more of the way they did it then any thing else. Now Amazon looks like dicks to the roughly 2.7 Million LMG Subs. GG Amazon. 

here's the thing about that, 2.7 million people aren't going to stop using amazon, not even close, not 1 million, not 100,000, everyone uses it, so Linus doesn't have leverage against them other than the aforementioned "well look, everyone else does it" if in fact they do do it.  That would set a legal precedent that just would never happen, so amazon would have to cut ties with everyone with a video that has done it (which would cause an uproar), or risk being counter sued. So in the end, Amazon may just really get on linus to stop it, but continue the program.

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6 hours ago, Donut417 said:

I think its more of the way they did it then any thing else. Now Amazon looks like dicks to the roughly 2.7 Million LMG Subs. GG Amazon. 

Well this forum is biased towards Linus. I am actually on Amazon's side on this one, Linus breached the rules and that's what he actually does deserve. That would happen to anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, LMG breached the rules, that's all.

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Posted

Huh, weird..

Just heard about it on the WAN show. Now they have to take down all videos with that reference in it.. That's gonna be quite some work. They could also use the YouTube editor to cut out the entire Amazon thing.

They probably earn quite a bit from this Amazon thing, so they will probably do it.

 

Also, kinda weird that it is not allowed to do it like that. I mean, I don't know how the whole code thing works, but I would assume this is the most effective way for the customer to use it?

10 minutes ago, Illumination said:

Well this forum is biased towards Linus. I am actually on Amazon's side on this one, Linus breached the rules and that's what he actually does deserve. That would happen to anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, LMG breached the rules, that's all.

It's not like this is AmazonTechTips, it's LinusTechTips, so of course people will be biased for Linus.

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21 minutes ago, Minibois said:

Huh, weird..

Just heard about it on the WAN show. Now they have to take down all videos with that reference in it.. That's gonna be quite some work. They could also use the YouTube editor to cut out the entire Amazon thing.

They probably earn quite a bit from this Amazon thing, so they will probably do it.

 

Also, kinda weird that it is not allowed to do it like that. I mean, I don't know how the whole code thing works, but I would assume this is the most effective way for the customer to use it?

It's not like this is AmazonTechTips, it's LinusTechTips, so of course people will be biased for Linus.

the code gives ya a cookie and from there on the affiliate will get a % from your purchase.

I suppose that the problem is in Linus saying that people should bookmark their code, I'm guessing Amazon would want people to not stick with just one affilate partner

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Some claims above that Linus was warned previously, any reference to to that? Recognising ignorance is not a defence, it did seem like he wasn't aware of that. So in part I agree Amazon are within their right to pull the plug if T&C's were not met, although they could have done it in a more elegant way.

 

As for Amazon themselves, I'd argue that have gained from bookmarking even if not allowed. I'm too lazy to bookmark but do click the forum affiliate link if I choose to buy from Amazon. I have multiple choices of where to buy, and the affiliate link to support LTT was an influence to me picking Amazon over others. That motivation is now gone. It isn't all or nothing. I'm not going to stop buying from Amazon, but as a result of this, it will likely be less than before.

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12 hours ago, ThyFeared said:

Linus was breaching his contract with amazon since 2013 by " Telling people to replace their bookmarks with his affiliate link, when he'd already been warned multiple times that doing so was a bannable offence". They just now got mad which is very understandable.  

 

10 hours ago, Atmos said:

Apparently they've received multiple warnings, no idea of what kind though.

You guys have a source on that? Linus seemed pretty damn confused on Twitter and FB.

 

Though if you do have a source, please post it so everyone can see.

 

I'm tentatively on Amazon's side of things. If this was against his contract, then so be it. If they gave him multiple warnings, then I completely agree with their actions. If they did not warn LMG, then they should give him one warning and make sure he doesn't do it again.

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11 hours ago, Donut417 said:

I think its more of the way they did it then any thing else. Now Amazon looks like dicks to the roughly 2.7 Million LMG Subs. GG Amazon. 

they already looked like dicks to me for not operating in belgium :P

 

however, these guys are the bigger dicks: http://www.amazon.be/

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1 minute ago, valdyrgramr said:

Oh, you wanna go to the hospital?   With our "prime" membership we'll get you there in two business days.

its okay, i have amazon insurance xD

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1 minute ago, valdyrgramr said:

With a name like that, I'd be more concerned that I'd be sent to a tribal witch doctor by the Amazon.

i honestly still wonder what the hell that company is, they have amazon.be parked with only an image, and beyond that they dont even really have any resources of what they're actually doing as a buisiness...

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It's an awkward first post, but I just wanted to note that the Amazon Insurance in Belgium is actually one of the bigger insurance brokers and widely recognized as a B2B broker for various kinds of insurances: car, medical, .... BTW: Amazon insurances was founded even before Amazon existed.

BTW: I do genuinely believe that Linus possibly missed any warnings from Amazon and that it came quite unexpected. I do hope they get the issue resolved and come to an agreement.

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4 hours ago, IMPERIUS said:

the code gives ya a cookie and from there on the affiliate will get a % from your purchase.

I suppose that the problem is in Linus saying that people should bookmark their code, I'm guessing Amazon would want people to not stick with just one affilate partner

Yeah, they likely don't think it's fair or something.

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mini eLiXiVy: my open source 65% mechanical PCB, a build log, PCB anatomy and discussing open source licenses: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1366493-elixivy-a-65-mechanical-keyboard-build-log-pcb-anatomy-and-how-i-open-sourced-this-project/

 

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